Your deck deserves to get a perfect finishing. This does not only enhance its looks but also lengthens its lifetime. The finishing provides protection against various elements of weather. You can also apply stain and paint to customize the appearance of the deck so that it matches with your interior design. The biggest question that has been giving people a headache is; should I paint or stain my deck? Read on as we provide answers to this question. By the end of the article, you will be in a better position to decide on paint vs stain.
The Cost
It all starts with the budget. How much money do you have for the finishing? Although some people don’t care about the budget, most of us tend to take it seriously. From a general point of view, staining is cheaper than painting. You will spend at least $20 or $35 for a single gallon of stain. This is unlike the paint whose price ranges between $35 to $45 per gallon.
Also, when using paint, you will have to keep aside at least $15 for one gallon of preservative. This is unlike wood stains which come with their own preservatives. They don’t require any extra primer.
The Final Appearance
Although both are used for finishing the deck, they differ in terms of the appearance that they leave on the wood. Wood stain tends to have some level of transparency and also opacity. It forms a thin film on the wood and leaves pores on the wood. It blends perfectly with the pattern of the wood giving your deck a natural look.
On the other hand, paint has a high content of resins and pigment which are easily visible once the paint dries up. It comes handy when you want to conceal some imperfections on your wood.
Versatility
In terms of versatility, we need to look at the product that will give you many options. In some instances, you may want to give your deck different characters and appearances. Here the paint carries the day. This is because it comes in a wide variety of hues. You can choose green, pale green, brown, crimson and even blue. You customize your deck to suit whichever hue that you want.
Wood stain is specifically designed to match with the color and texture of the wood. This means that it is limited to specific shades or hues.
Durability
Between paint and stain, which one is durable? When it comes to durability, the two seem to tie. This is because the two react differently when exposed to different conditions. For instance, a paint finishing can be easily affected by peeling and chipping. On the other hand, the stain on the deck can be affected by elements heat.
However, paints are generally more durable than the stains. This is so especially if you use oil-based paints. Latex paints are resistant to the destructive effects of the UV rays. A paint on the deck can last for more than 10 years.
Some stains are easily affected by UV and water. Their lifetime ranges from 1 to 7 years.
Maintenance
In a duel of paint vs stain, which one is hard to maintain? Once the paint dries up, it will form a smooth surface that is easy to clean and maintain. You can easily get rid of dust and other debris that might have accumulated on the deck.
Once the stain dries up, it forms a matte finishing. You need to be extra careful when cleaning this surface. Applying more force can end up damaging the wood surface.
Both the paint and stain need to be handled gently when cleaning. Do not use a lot of force or pressure.
Application
If you are planning to do the finishing on your own, you should consider the ease of application. It is imperative to note that both painting and staining require thorough preparation before you embark on the job. You need to scrub the deck until it becomes clean. The surface should be smooth and even.
However, you can apply the stain directly on the deck and still achieve the desired results. Its transparent nature ensures that the lap marks on the deck remain invisible. Paints require a very smooth surface so as to conceal any imperfections.
Painting vs staining, which one should I choose? It all boils down to your personal taste and preferences. Analyze the above seven factors and choose an option that will suit you perfectly.